Saturday, September 9, 2017

Edit: just received this poll result from Una Voce Miami.Ten years after the motu proprio, we have decided to complete our 2009-2011 European survey campaign regarding the reception of Pope Benedict XVI's Motu Proprio. This campaign covered the continent's principal Catholic countries, whether in the wake of papal visits (Portugal, United Kingdom, Spain) or at the request of our local partners. However, it had overlooked the highest-ranking country in terms of Church vitality: Poland. We therefore decided that the time had come to survey the country of Pope John Paul II.

Rather than commissioning a survey from a commercial institute, we followed the advice of Una Voce Poland and turned to the Institute for Catholic Church Statistics (ISKK). It was founded in 1972 by the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (the Pallottines) and works for the Polish Bishops’ Conference. The institute’s Catholic character means that the survey was taken directly on a group made up of committed Catholics (1) which gives this poll an original importance since it deals only with practicing Catholics. After gathering over 800 responses, they selected 635 that matched the distribution of committed Catholics in the Polish population.

I - THE RESULTS

Survey conducted by the ISKK (Institute for Catholic Church Statistics) from May 13 to June 4, 2017. Online panel method on a cross section of 635 committed Catholics. (1)

> 1: Do you go to Mass? (1)Every Sunday and holy day: 93.6%Nearly every Sunday: 5.8%Once a month: 0.6%

> 2: In July 2007 Pope Benedict XVI said that the Mass could be celebrated both in its modern form, termed “ordina ry” or “of Paul VI”—with the priest facing the people—and also in its traditional form, termed “extraordinary” or “Tridentine”—in Latin, the priest facing the tabernacle. Were you aware of this?Yes: 89.5%No: 6.9%No answer: 3.6%

> 3: What is your opinion of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form (in Latin and facing the tabernacle)? (Note: the total is above 100% because the pollster allowed multiple answers)It is an expression of fidelity to the Church’s tradition: 49.9%It is something normal: 37.3%It does not correspond to contemporary culture: 17.6%It is a strange practice: 4.2%Other: 16.7%Hard to say: 12.1%

> 4: If the older Mass were celebrated (in Latin and facing the tabernacle) in YOUR parish, would you attend?Weekly: 28.9%Once in a while: 51.6%Never: 15.1%Hard to say: 4.4%

II - JUST LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE . . .

Polish Catholicism, a leaven of victorious resistance to Communist dictatorship, went through a triumphant era in the late 20th century. From a doctrinal and liturgical point of view, it was less exposed to the “Springtime of the Council” and its abuses. Even today, Gregorian chant and Communion on the tongue remain the norm in most of the country’s parishes.

In this rather conservative and isolated context, it is interesting to note that the extraordinary form—so often presented as a reaction to abuse—would draw one worshipper in four every Sunday if it were part and parcel of ordinary parish life. A result that corresponds to the average found in the other countries (19% in France in 2008; 25% i n Germany in 2010; 27.4% in Spain in 2011; etc.).

III - PAIX LITURGIQUE'S DETAILED COMMENTARY

1) The Poles are aware of the extraordinary form’s legitimacy

In Poland, nine committed Catholics (1) in ten know that the extraordinary form has full citizenship in the Church. This is a very high result. Besides the fact that it seems normal for committed Catholics to be informed on the different aspects of the life of the Church, one may also think that after ten years knowledge of Benedict XVI’s motu proprio has made some headway: in the first place through local word-of-mouth, then through the place that the extraordinary form has on social networks, and also thanks to the work of associations such as Una Voce Poland that organize lectures, ceremonies, and pilgrimages to promote the Latin and Gregorian liturgy.

2) A Catholicism preserved from the liturgical wars

The answer to question #3, which was slightly modified by the ISKK pollsters as compared to our usual item (2), brings out the fact that only one in 25 committed Catholics sees the older liturgy as a “strange practice.” Furthermore, less than one in five (17.6) considers that it does not conform to contemporary culture. In any event one may imagine that for some this answer is not a negative, since it only notes the incapacity of the contemporary world to make room for tradition.

On the other hand, the fact that one committed Catholic in two sees the extraordinary form as “an expression of fidelity to the Church’s tradition” is unambiguous. This survey therefore shows us the face of a church which, while it certainly has suffered along with the whole Church from the break imposed by the liturgical reform, nevertheless has by and large remained immune to a “progressive” opposition against the older liturgy as well as to the rupture that has harmed, and continues to harm, our Western European churches.

3) 8 Polish Catholics in 10 . . .

. . . would gladly attend the extraordinary form if it were celebrated in their parish: 28.9% would prefer to do so and 51.6% would do so once in a while. The close to 30% of Massgoers who would attend the traditional Mass every Sunday if it were celebrated conveniently in their parish (19% in France in 2008, 40% in Italy, 25% in Germany, etc.) shows the true weight of the extraordinary form. This again confirms the existence of a vast silent mass (at least one in four Catholics) that aspires to more sacrality and solemnity in its liturgical and spiritual life. Only 15% of practicing Polish Catholics express no attraction to the extraordinary form, which leaves a great field for the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum to make its way, patiently, among that country’s parishes.

4) The scientific confirmation of all our earlier surveys

The fact that, thanks to the ISKK’s specific competency, this Polish survey bears only on practicing Catholics makes it a reliable benchmark for analyzing the results of our earlier national surveys. All of our other surveys targeted Catholics generally, i.e. both Massgoers and non; at our request the polling institutes highlighted the answers specific to practicing Catholics. Because of the dramatic drop in even monthly Mass attendance amongWest European Catholics, however, the samples of Massgoers might be considered too small to be fully representative.

In reality, scientists are well aware that the more samples are numerous, the more the statistics are reliable. The consistency of the results obtained in the seven countries of our earlier surveys—France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Great Britain, Switzerland, and Spain—was already a significant statistical element. Their agreement with the results of the Polish survey, obtained from a cross section exclusively made up of practicing Catholics, strongly confirms their validity.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

The daily newspaper "Libero" has been conducting an online vote since yesterday with clear results. In the picture Pope Benedict XVI. as a cardinal.

(Rome) The Italian daily newspaper Libero has been conducting an online vote since yesterday. The question is: "Are you missing Ratzinger as head of the church?"

The current voting result

Only one-time voting is possible. The vote is counted after a few seconds and the current result is published as a percentage. It is not known how many readers have been involved in the vote. The reconciliation result is continually updated and is unambiguous. On April 13th, at 8:57 am, it looked as follows:

84 per cent of Libero readers have replied: Yes, I am missing Ratzinger as a church leader. Only 16 percent have so far denied the question.

The well-known Italian journalist Antonio Socci, who takes a very critical attitude towards the reigning Pope, writes for the daily newspaper Libero.

The comments on the online vote reflect the mood among the voters. Some examples:

A Franco Ranuzzini wrote:

"Ratzinger spoke of God and frequently quoted the Bible, but it is only understood that Bergoglio was a Pope because he is dressed in white, otherwise he would be considered a politician."

A Francesco Cenatiempo added in response to Ranuzzini's comment:

"No, Bergoglio is the Imam of the Vatican."

A Riccardo Cavalli wrote:

"The Pope is Benedict XVI. In his recent sermons, Bergoglio crosses the line. He said that Jesus was the devil! And made himself a serpent! Is there any doubt about who Bergoglio is and who is Pope? Read the visions of Emmerich and Neumann. Let us remain faithful to the everlasting doctrine and the constant teaching of the Church!

Giorgio Collarin wrote:

"High on the emeritus pope. Happy Birthday!"

The representativeness of the survey can cast doubt on the overall question as to whether a Catholic Church head should be measured in surveys. In any case, the Libero Initiative makes visible a part of the mood among the people, which is a counterpoint to the likely attitude of the leading media toward Pope Francis.

Is it also the case that 84 per cent miss Benedict XVI as Pope because Francis "makes himself invisible" on the Triduum, to the Church, and celebrates the Mass of the Last Supper not in the Lateran basilica with his diocese and the world church, but to their exclusion and in the public From?

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Edit: Newsmax, the Neoconservative public opinion agglomerator has been appealing to the Catholic vote. More power to them, and this isn't the first time a Pope Francis poll has appeared. Just as a test, we wanted to see what the readers of this blog could do to influence a poll. Right now here are the standings, vote early and vote often if you want. We'll post the results tomorrow.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Edit: currently with a little under 3,000 votes cast, most are Catholic, against birth control by a slim margin, overwhelmingly against priestesses, overwhelmingly favorable to the new Pope and overwhelmingly favorable toward the Catholic Church.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Warsaw (kath.net/KAP) In Poland Pope Benedict XVI. enjoys the highest esteem of all Catholic worthies. 83 percent of those over 14- years old trust the Church head, according to a study of the Institute GfK of Poland in connection to the paper "Rzeczpospolita" [Thursday] . He follos the local Bishop 73 percent or local Pastor (71 Perent). For the study, 1.000 Poles were personally asked.

Only 15 Perxent of those questioned knew correspondingly, the name of the Primate of Poland elected last June, Archbishop Josef Kowalczyk. Never the less 73 percent said they trusted the honorary head of the Church of Poland. 17 Percent believed that Warsaw Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz was primate: 15 Percent thought that Cardinal Jozef Glemp still occupies the office.

A majority of 56 Percent spoke out on the subject that the Church in Poland will be supported completely by collections and donations; 8 Percent desire a Church tax like in Germany. Still in the summer Opinion Taker CBOS reported sinking polls for the Church. According to that 35percent of Poles have a negative opinion of the institution. Correspondingly only 54 percent of the Church was positive about the work of the Church. In April was was still 73 percent.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

But... the group specified as "Practicing" Catholics only go to Mass at least once a month including people who go during funerals. We're sure that people who are scrupulous enough to go to Mass every Sunday would be much more certain about absolute morality.

In one of the defining works of his historic papacy, Pope John Paul II argued that if people -- believers and nonbelievers alike -- want true freedom and peace, they must accept the reality of "universal and unchanging moral norms."

"When it is a matter of the moral norms prohibiting intrinsic evil, there are no privileges or exceptions.

[chop]

"Practicing Catholics" were defined as "those who attend religious services at least once a month," explained Barbara Carvalho, director of the Marist Poll. This group included "Catholics who attend services more than once a week, once a week, or once or twice a month excluding weddings and funerals," she said.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Church of England is dying and non-Christian faiths are growing, while Americans are just as likely as Englishmen to think that the Church should not try to influence the Government. Really?

Not even years of liberal policies and attempts to keep up with the spirit of the times can save it. Seems like the only faiths growing are those who actually stand for something and are not harmonious with the spirit of the age.

Worthy Initiative

Purpose

This is a polemical Catholic Royalist blog. It will also attempt to provide a window onto various events, situations and personalities not generally or favorably presented to the purview of the general public in the English speaking world. It also hopes to be a bridge for those who wish to cross over, unite and fight for the truth.